Hypoglycemia
This condition refers to a case of a low blood glucose concentration. Since permanent neurologic sequelae is noted with the deprivation of glucose from brain tissue, it is a must that a diagnosis is known early so that early intervention can be instituted.
Hypoglycemia refers to two or more blood glucose values of less than 30 mg/dl in the full term newborn:
< 20 mg/dl in prematures
< 40 mg/dl in older infants and children
Hypoglycemia refers to two or more blood glucose values of less than 30 mg/dl in the full term newborn
< 20 mg/dl in prematures
< 40 mg/dl in older infants and children
The causes of hypoglycemia are many and a number of organ systems are involved like the
- adrenal cortex
- Adrenal medulla
- Anterior pituitary
- Hypothalamus
- Liver
- Thyroid
- Pancreas and
- The peripheral tissues.
Neonatal hypoglycemia clinically may present as: failure to suck, tremors, cyanosis, unstable temperature, listlessness, poor muscle tone. absent Moro reflex, apnea, seizures, coma or may be, completely asymptomatic
In older infants and children, the following can be seen: pallor, sweating, tremors, listlessness, apathy, irritability, headache, visual disturbances, mental confusions, bizarre behavior, convulsions, comaSince there are cases of asymptomatic hypoglycemia, it is imperative to watch closely the high risk group of infants. ” High risk group” includes the following: dysmature infant, the infant of a toxemic mother, smaller of the twins, infants of diabetic mothers, and infants with neonatal erythroblastosis fetalis